Michigan State's Denzel Valentine, right, has teamed with Gary Harris, left, to give the Spartans a formidable pair of freshmen in the backcourtAP Photo

EAST LANSING — Denzel Valentine admits he wasn't used to hearing the type of sharp criticism and prodding he received from Michigan State coach Tom Izzo the opening weeks of the season.

The freshman wing, however, knew enough to listen to the message and allow it to motivate him, and on Saturday afternoon that led to Izzo comparing him to Spartans' legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, if only in a passing reference.

"I love the way Coach Izzo pushes me,'' said Valentine, who starred in Michigan State's 84-39 victory over Nicholls State with 11 points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals at Breslin Center.

"It's a different way, I'm not used to it, but in the end it pays off. I played better the last two games. Since he has been on me, I've come out focused on the things he was yelling at me about.''

Izzo gave praise where it was due following the win over the Colonels, which improved the Spartans to 6-2 while dropping Nicholls State to 1-3.

"Denzel, he's going to continue to improve, and him and Gary (Harris) together, they have a feel for each other, I don't know if it's cause they're roommates or what,'' Izzo said. "Denzel is figuring out still, those passes, it's really not always on him; it's like they used to say about Magic, that you have to play with guys so guys understand the ball might be coming, it's not just the passer, it's the receiver sometimes, and the receiver can make the passer look bad, or vice versa.''

Valentine, who has a flair for no-look passes, said his teammates are becoming more accustomed to the ball coming their way in less obvious situations.

"It happens less now, guys are more aware of my passes,'' he said. "Sometimes, they aren't expecting it.''

Valentine was the spark Michigan State needed to shake off a 10-9 start on the undermanned Colonels, finishing the first half with nine points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals as the Spartans took a 37-13 lead into intermission.

"All in all, I thought Denzel brought some things, and in that stretch he really brought some things,'' Izzo said. "Getting to the offensive glass, cutting at the right time, getting some dunks, and he hit a three, so I thought it was one of his better games.''

There was one moment, however, that Valentine admits he would have preferred to do without — it came at the 10-minute mark when Nicholls State's JaMarkus Horace dunked on him.

Valentine responded on the ensuing possession.

"After I got dunked on, I was determined to score, so as soon as Keith (Appling) threw me the ball, I shot it and it went it,'' Valentine said of his made 3-pointer. "I felt a little bit better about myself; hopefully that (dunk) doesn't get on (ESPN) top 10 plays.''